Here’s another sneak peak from our photo shoot a couple of weeks ago. Shay is wearing shoes by MOVMT while playing on our co-founder’s bike.
GGC’s First Date with Ben Midanek
First dates are always awkward and nerve racking, but they’re also full of excitement. According to People, your date has a good idea whether or not they want to see you again within 20 minutes. Here we’ll give you a closer look into some of our favorite companies and who’s behind them, with some unlikely questions and answers. We’d definitely go on another date with Ben Midanek, founder and CEO of 4Sight Sunglasses, a buy-to-give company that focuses on bringing eyesight and eye care to those who need it most. Ben is great, but don’t chew gum anywhere near him.
Hi Ben! So where did you grow up?
I’ve gone back and forth between New York and the Bay Area my whole life. I was born in New York, moved to a suburb of San Francisco called Walnut Creek when I was six, and spent my teenage years flying back and forth. The Bay Area feels like home though. Not bad, California is amazing.
Do you have any siblings?
My little brother T (Thomas) is 22 and just graduated from college. He’s awesome. Yay, Thomas! Congrats.
If you could travel to one place tomorrow, where would you go?
If I could go for six months or a year, I’d go to India. Otherwise, Colombia. Where exactly is 4Sight located? Really 4sight is located wherever I happen to be. World HQ is in San Francisco, but 4sight and I may be entering a nomadic phase, so who knows where we’ll be next month.
If 4Sight had a spirit animal, what would it be?
Definitely a dog. Maybe an Australian Shepard. Something big and furry and playful.
Big fluffy dogs! Yes! So what’s your favorite movie of all time?
Very tough question. I think I’m going to go with Forrest Gump.
Do you have any pet peeves?
I have a couple weird ones. I can’t deal with toothpaste on the outside of the tube — I have to just throw the whole tube out. As a result, I’m never stoked about sharing my toothpaste/brush. I never chew gum and I don’t like being too close to people when they’re chewing gum. Something about it just grosses me out. Also not a fan of cola.
Alright, noted! What’s on your bedside table?
A bunch of books (mostly psychology or business), a pile of magazines (the Economist & Inc.), my iPhone, a pen and scratch paper.
Always good to have paper on hand when you’ve got an idea! What’s on your iPod right now?
Basically all of my music — lots of folky indie bluegrassy singer-songwriter stuff and some punk and hardcore stuff. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Fun., the new Matisyahu album, and the Avett Brothers.
Sounds like a good mix. Who’s your favorite superhero?
Batman. I just decided right now. Lots of people hate on him because he doesn’t actually have any powers, but that’s why I like him — all the other superheros got their abilities from crazy lab accidents and science experiments; Batman just made up his mind to become a superhero and did it. Anyone could be a superhero if they could fly and shoot lasers out of their eyes. Batman’s just a normal dude.
This makes us really happy. Check out Maddie the Coonhound as she traverses the country and stands on things. What an awesome pup!
You’ve probably seen us post about Give Prints, a company that gives back through the power of photography, but this week they are headed to El Salvador to work along side their partner ENLACE. There, in a country where 63% of people live on less than $2 a day, ENLACE and the Give Prints Media Team (GP Media) will work with churches to help empower communities while telling their story effectively through the power of media.
You can follow their adventures on the Give Prints blog and on their twitter!
(photos by Cristina Robeck, founder of Give Prints, both taken in El Salvador)
Boulder Startup Week was great, and it all began with Ignite! Until next year, friends! PS: You can find us on Instagram at @givengoods!
Our co-founder Cammy talks about why Given Goods is unique. YAY YouTube videos, we’ll be uploading more soon!
The People’s Movement is a new footwear company that brings fresh ideas to a space that is packed with similar styles and bland missions. MOMVT is a brand about doing good while looking good, and since releasing their first line in February, they’ve certainly accomplished both.
The People’s Movement, or MOVMT, makes stylish, comfortable and well constructed shoes in order to reflect their goals of environmental awareness and being a conscious consumer. With each purchase of their ‘Clean Act’ collection, $1 is donated to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, dedicated to stopping plastic pollution and is toxic impacts.
MOVMT’s owner Kevin Flanagan, their marketing and design manager Mark Wystrach and COO Chris Swortwood are all sports fans and veterans in the industry. Together they bring a fresh perspective to the canvas sneaker that surpasses design by giving back to their favorite playground, the ocean. Aside from donating to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, all shoes are made using organic cotton canvas, natural dyes, water-based glues and nickle free eyelets. MOVMT also works with other companies working towards finding alternatives to plastic packaging such as Boxed Water is Better and Repurpose. They also work with Bombastic Plastix, who creates the reusable tote bags made of plastic bags found on the beaches of Bali in which MOVMT shoes are packaged.
As they say, “MOVMT is driven by less work, more time to surf and being the positive change we want to see in the world through the way we run our company.” And their office is dog friendly. We dig it!
Out of Print Clothing sells stylish shirts, totes and even iPhone cases for the literary lover in your life. And for each purchase, a book is given to a community in need.
(Source: flickr.com)
